President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was assured here today of a more robust exchange of trade between the People’s Republic of China (PROC) and the Philippines that will signal the elevation of bilateral relations between the two countries to the highest level.

The assurance was made by Governor Huang Huahua of Guangdong province following the briefing on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) at the White Swan Hotel here.

The President, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, and the members of the Philippine delegation arrived at the New Baiyun International Airport at 8:03 a.m., the first stop of the three-day state visit to the PROC.

Gov. Huang thanked the President for making Guangdong province her first stop, a gesture which he noted is proof of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration’s high regard for its friendship with China.

"The growth of both countries is going so fast and our link is getting very close. This signals the stepping up of cooperation between us," Gov. Huang told the President.

The President expressed confidence that trade exchanges between Filipino and Chinese businessmen would accelerate.

"I am quite confident that our business communities will continue to increase doing business with one another," she said.